The Republican journal., 1887-11-03
The Story of the Steamer Bangor.

The first iron steamship ever built in
America was constructed expressly to run be-
tween Bangor and Boston. This steamer was
named Bangor, and her history, first and last,
Is rather remarkable. She was built in 1915 by
Belts, Harlan Il liollingsworth at Wilmington,
Del, and was 4 twin screw boat of $50 tons,
Old measurement, rugged as three masted
schooner. On her way north from Whining
ton, the Bangor called at New York to land
passengers, and attracted great deal Of attcn-
ton there, as she also did in Boston, the beauty
OF her hull being much admired by nautical eX-
pcrts. She had berths for eighty passengers,
anu an under-dcck carrying capacity of 1000
barrels. Unfortunately, on her second trip to
this port the Bangor took fire, and was run
ashore on Long Island, Penobscot Bay, where
she was burned, all except the iron shell of her
nun. The passengers got ashore all right with
just what they stood in, but cargo and every
thing else went up in smoke. The steamer was
afterward rebuilt in Bucksport, sold to the GOV
eminent, and went out to Mexico during the
war between that country and the United States
her name having been changed to Scourge.
Immediately after the surrender Of Vera
Cruz the celebrated expedition against AIva-
RADIO started from that port. Two previous
attempts had been made upon Ayardo by the
naval forces of the United States, but without
success. and this third advance was made with
a great display of power. The expedition left
Vera Cruz on March 30. iS47. The army was
represented by regiments of volunteers from
NcoISlt, Soulu SaTOll1a anu Alabama, u squad
ron of cavalry, and section of artillery, the
whole under the command Of Gen. Quitman,
while the naval forces consisted of the follow
ing vessels: Frgate Potomac, sloops-of-war st.
Mary's and Albany, steamers Mississippi,
Vixen, Water Witch, and Spitfre, brig Por-
poise.fvc small-gun schooners, one bomb-ketcll,
and the steamer Scourge (Bangor) which latter
was sent on some days in advance.
When the expedition approached its destina-
ton IT was met by some messengers, who
brought the information that the stronghold of
Alvarado, which had twice wthstood the at
tacks of the fleet had surrendered to the daring
OF Lieut.. Hunter, of the ScOurge without loss
or damage to the latter The brave lieutenant
thus won laures which might otherwise have
gone to Commodore Conley of the fleet and
other officers; but his triumph was short-lived.
for having too plainly shown the inetficiency of
his commander, who had twice failed even
with large force, to accomplish what his jun-
ior had done so handily, he 1.-THE Lieutenant) was
court-martaled and virtually dismissed from
the service. All this was reiedied afterwar,l,
however, by the President, prompted by public
opinion. Thus was the old Bangor connected
with one of the most famous episodes of the
Mexican coast campaigns.
Just previous to building the Bangor, Messrs.
Belts, Harlan & Hollingsworth constructed two
small iron steam canal boats for New York
parties, and soon afterward an iron river side
wheeler, named W. w. Weldon, to run on the
Delaware, but the Bangor was the first iron
steamship ever launched from an American
yard.